Last night I made chicken enchiladas for dinner. It was super easy and quick because mid-day I threw the chicken breasts into the crockpot, where it simmered and cooked without a hassle. After a few hours of cooking on it’s own, it took only minutes to shred it with a couple forks and add it to the enchilada filling.
Next time you have a recipe that calls for shredded chicken – throw whole chicken breasts into the crockpot with about an inch or two of chicken broth or water/bouillon. I’ve even done this with frozen chicken breasts before! You can add a light seasoning if you’d like, but I usually cook them in plain water or broth. About 2-3 hours later the chicken should shred easily with a fork!
You could do this for taco salads, enchiladas, soups and more!
What do you use shredded chicken for?
How does your slow cooker save you time?
Amazon currently has the Hamilton Beach Deluxe 6 qt. Stay or Go Slow Cooker on sale for $36 with FREE shipping – this is down from regular price of $73.
sadie says
I put frozen meat in my slow cooker all the time…no one has ever gotten sick. I usually put it on high for an hour or 2, until the meat is thawed, then put it on low if I’m not in a rush.
Lori says
You’d cook it on high for 2-3 hours….I did a big batch and left them in for 4 hours on high and they turned out good!
Jen says
Did you cook it on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW?
Brenda says
When I want to cook up more chicken than what will fit in my crockpot, I roast it in the oven. When I get my 40 lbs. of Zaycon Chicken, I put about 10 lbs in my turkey roaster while I’m packaging up the rest to put in the freezer. After it’s done I shred it and divide it up into 1 cup bags to freeze. Makes for lots of easy meals!
Cindy says
Even faster than using forks to shred…if you have a stand mixer, put the cooked chicken breasts in the bowl, attach the beater attachment and turn on. In no time you have perfectly shredded chicken!
Heather says
Lots of folks have recommended the stand mixer – but I hate doing dishes! I’d rather fork it and save the fork to use with dinner. I’m lame, I know.
couponnutz says
I like to do chicken salad. Prefer it rolled in flour tortillas, with lettus added to the mixture and cut into coins. It’s pretty for parties!
Kelly says
Just a heads up… It’s not usually recommended to put frozen food in a crock pot because they heat gently enough that the meat can spend too long in the “danger zone,” temperature-wise. Maybe newer slow cookers don’t have that warning, but I know mine does.
Heather says
I know food safety is no laughing matter – but I had to chuckle about the danger zone. For me the “danger zone” is me juggling kids, while trying to make dinner. It’s dangerous in so many ways. LOL. Good tip though I’ll be more careful about the frozen chicken breasts!
Sandra says
Do you even need to add liquid?
KerriC says
This is how I do my shredded chicken, too. It always turns out perfectly this way! I use it for chicken wraps with homemade tortillas and pico de gallo. My favorite!
Brie says
Well. That was SUPPOSED to be a smiley with its tongue out… š
Heather says
š
Brie says
I use my slow-cooker for pulled chicken as well, but instead of plain chicken slow cooked in water, I slow cook chicken in spicy enchilada sauce. It totally soaks up all that flavor. Then I use verde enchilada sauce for making the enchiladas. Best of both worlds. Yum. :)~